Centrifuge for treating liquid and/or solid materials



April 22, 1969 H. P. o. UNGER CENTRIFUGE FOR TREATING L IQUID AND/0R SOLID MATERIALS Sheet of 3 Filed Aug. 16, 1967 INVENTOR 305 $7 8) 010 ATTORNEY April 969 H. P. o. UNGER 3,439,871

CENTRIFUGE FOR TREATING LIQUID AND/OR SOLID MATERIALS Filed Aug. 16, 1967 Sheet 5 of 3 INVENTOR Nam Jaw U/q/ if m ATTORNEY April 22, 1969 H, P. o. UNGER 3,439,871

GENTRIFUGE FOR TREATING LIQUID AND/OR somn MATERIALS Filed Aug. 16, 1967 Sheet 3 of s INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,439,871 CENTRIFUGE FOR TREATING LIQUID AND/0R SOLID MATERIALS Hans Peter Olof Unger, Skeppargatan 57, Stockholm. Sweden Filed Aug. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 661,109 Claims priority, application Sweden, Aug. 22, 1966, 11,288/66 Int. Cl. 1304b 1/00, 3/00, /00

US. Cl. 2333 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A centrifuging device comprising a rotatable centrifuging head adapted to support a plurality of containers for the material to be treated in a substantially radial position with respect to the axis of rotation. The centrifuging head also carries a liquid distributing device the position of which with respect to the centrifuging head can be varied such as by tilting it and vertically displacing it with respect to the centrifuging head, and which is provided with means for supplying liquid or liquid suspensions to the containers.

The present invention relates to a centrifuge for treating liquid and/ or solid materials, and more particularly to a centrifuge of the kind wherein provision is made for uniform distribution of liquids or liquid suspensions to a number of containers, which are releasably secured to the centrifuge head and, furthermore, for transferring liquids from the containers and resuspending particles present in liquids, after centrifuging down said particles in the containers.

The treatment in view is desirous, e.g. in blood-group serology, particularly in carrying out the (AHG) Moreschi-Coombs test, where it is desired to free a cellsuspension from surplus albumin by way of washing with saline.

With the centrifuges according to the US. Patents No. 3,235,173 and No. 3,175,732 it is possible to carry out the desired process, for which reason the centrifuge according to the present invention is to be considered as an improvement and simplification of the centrifuges according to said patents.

In the fields of blood-group serology, immunology and medical isotope technique as well as in other medico-technical fields necessities have arisen to make it possible to carry out a number of quantitative tests without loss of particles. Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide an improved centrifuge which satisfies this requirement.

The centrifuge according to the present invention connects to the centrifuges according to the above-mentioned US. patents. The characteristic features of the centrifuge described bereinbelow difier, however, distinctly from the characteristic features of the centrifuges mentioned.

According to the invention there is provided a centrifuge for treating liquid and/ or solid materials and having a rotatable centrifuge head for holding containers for material to be treated radially with respect to the rotational axis of the centrifuge head, a liquid distributor centrally disposed in the centrifuge head, a number of hoses or tubes leading from the liquid distributor and opening into the containers, so that equal amounts of liquid from the liquid distributor can be introduced into the containers, characterized in that the liquid distributor is tiltable and vertically displaceable with respect to the centrifuge head.

In a preferred embodiment the liquid distributor is rigidly attached to a vertical liquid inlet pipe which is tiltable and vertically displaceable in the centrifufie head,

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the hoses being adaped on tilting of the liquid distributor to perform reciprocating and beating movements in the containers.

The invention permits the construction of a centrifuge which speedily and effecively washes e.g. cells and resuspends them without thereby creating loss of cells and without obstructing the mounting and dismounting of the containers by blocking the supply hoses opening into the containers which supply hoses in their operative position otherwise easily dip into the centrifugate when the containers are dismounted. Centrifuges according to the invention can be manufactured in accordance with simple principles of construction at a low manufacturing price and require little maintenance.

A number of embodiments of the invention and examples of the use thereof are described in more details hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1 shows schematically in vertical section one.

embodiment of a centrifuge according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows schematically in vertical view a part of the upper portion of the centrifuge in operation;

FIG. 3 shows the same part at rest;

FIG. 4 shows in horizontal view a part of the control mechanism of the centrifuge;

FIG. 5 shows schematically an embodiment of the liquid distributor, as well as a method for its operation;

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the liquid distributor;

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the liquid distributor;

FIG. 8 shows a vertical view through a tool in which a centrifuge head is manufactured;

FIG. 9 shows a reverse horizontal view of the centrifuge head. 1

FIG. 10 shows in vertical section another embodiment of a centrifuge.

Referring to FIG. 1, the centrifuge comprises a rotatable centrifuge head 10 which by means of a belt-drive 11 is driven from an electric motor not shown in the drawings. Centrally disposed in the head 10 is a liquid distributor 12 to which is secured a liquid supply pipe 13, which is vertically displaceable in a support 13' (e.g. a nylon bearing) and tiltable, the liquid distributor 12 being constrained for movement with the pipe 13, so that the position of the liquid distributor with respect to the centrifuge head 10 will be variable. T0 the liquid distributor 12 are connected a number of hoses 14, 14', which are introduced in tubular containers 15, 15', which can be releasably secured to the peripheral portion of the centrifuge head 12. Through the liquid supply pipe 13 of the distributor 12 liquid (or liquid suspension) is supplied, which is distributed in the liquid distributor and in equal amounts flows out through the hoses. The liquid (however not any possible particles), leaves the rnouths of the hoses 14, 14', turns at the bottoms of the containers 15, 15' and is transported away at the mouths Olf the containers into a protective bowl 16.

FIG. 2 shows schematically an accentric or tilted position of the liquid distributor 12, achieved by lateral displacement of the lower portion of the liquid supply pipe 13. The hoses 14, 14' connected to the distributor 12 therefore perform rotating as well as reciprocating movements in the containers 15, 15. These agitating movements bring about an instantaneous resuspension of the particles in the containers.

FIG. 3 shows schematically a positionwhere the liquid distributor 12 is displaced upwardly with respect to the centrifuge head 10. As a result of this displacement the hoses 14, 14 connected to the liquid distributor 12 are moved centrally upwards from the bottoms of the containers 15, 15.

FIG. 5 shows another method than in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 to operate the liquid distributor 17 in order to attain the same agitation effect, i.e. resuspension of the particles in the containers 15, 15'. In this case the liquid distributor 17 is tilted by a rod 18 connected to the distributor 17. The rod '18 is held by means of a rubber plate 19 secured to the centrifuge head below the distributor 17. The method is primarily employed in manual operation. In this case, the liquid is supplied to the distributor 17 from above through a liquid supply pipe 20.

1 FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the liquid distributor 21, in the centre of which is horizontally arranged a liquid spreader plate 22, which serves to spread the liquid-centrally supplied through a liquid supply pipe 23-to a thin, uniform film of liquid, which is brought to uniformly leave the periphery of the spreader plate 22, whereby equal amounts of liquid are transferred to the respective outlet sections and containers 15, 15.

FIG. 7 shows a. further embodiment of the liquid -d1stributor 24, where the liquid is supplied from above through a smaller pipe 25 and where the bottom of the distributor 24 consists of a liquid spreader plate of similar function as the spreader plate 22 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, this liquid SUIPPIY pipe 25 is angularly bent such that its mouth faces peripheral outlet sections 26, 26' of the diStl'lbUtOl:. Thereby, there is achieved a uniform distribution of liquid, in that the outlet sections 26, 26 passing under rotation are receiving equal amounts of liquid from mouth of the supply pipe. FIGURE 7 also shows a simple way of adapting the tubes connected to the liquid distributor 24, in this case the hoses 14, 14', which are fitte d in tapering bores in the distributor by means of press rings 27, 27 centrally introduced .in the hoses. Here, through the centrifugal force the hoses are sealingly retained in the distributor but can be easily released by pushing them towards the centre. In FIG. 7 there is also shown a larger liquid outlet pipe 28, the function of which is to release under a short period of time larger amounts of liquid which are uniformly distributed on the bottom of the liquid distributor and rapidly supplied in the form of liquid pulses to the containers on the centrifuge head. By this method of resuspending the particles in the containers by liquid pulses, the amount of liquid in each pulse will be so small that the resuspended particles will not be expulsed from the containers.

As an alternative to the liquid supply interrupted during the agitation, also small amounts of liquid can be. suppliedto the liquid distributor during agitation, i.e. in the tilted position of the distributor, but only with such rate of flow of the liquid that the flow of liquid into the containers does not exceed the rate of sedimentation of the particles in the prevailing centrifugal field. As a result, the particles are constantly kept under agitation, i.e. kept resuspended in the containers without leaving the containers.

FIG. 8 schematically shows a tool 29 for manufacturing the type of centrifuge head which according to the invention is the most suitable. In order to achieve without substantial cost the complicated shape of the centrifuge head and considering that a metal structure easily could damage the containers 15, (usually made of glass) in the centrifuge head, the latter is made of a special plastics material in the mould shown in the figure. The tool 29 houses cartridges 30, 30 which are displaceable, e.g. under the action of pressure and suction and serve to form sockets for the containers 15, 15 in the centrifuge head 10. FIG. 9, illustrating the underside of the centrifuge head 10, shows a number of inspection holes 31, 3 1' provided in the centrifugal head. These holes 31, 31' are arranged along a spiral line and extend to the sockets to permit inspection of the contents of the containers during treatment. Alternatively, the inspection hole has the form of a slot, opening up at the sockets of the containers 15, 15.

The centrifugal is intended for both semi-automatic operation, i.e. with certain manual actuation and fully automatic operation where the operation of the centrifuge is controlled by a control device. FIG. 1 shows a semiautomatic embodiment of the centrifuge. Thus in this figure a lever 32 is connected to the liquid supply pipe 13 of the liquid distributor 12. By means of the lever 32 the liquid distributor is tilted and displaced as required. In the lower, centered position shown in FIG. 1 liquid is supplied to the containers 15, 15 of the centrifuge head 10. In the tilted position shown in FIG. 2 agitation is effected, and in the upper position of the liquor distributor shown in FIG. 3 the containers 15, 15 can be easily secured to or removed from the centrifuge head 10.

A valve mechanism for the liquid supply to the liquid distributor is schematically shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a plunger 33 provided with a hole, said plunger being connected to the lever 32 already described, by means of which the supply pipe 13 of the liquid distributor 12 is displaced and tilted. Movements of the lever 32 result in corresponding movements of the plunger 33 which only in one single position which corresponds to the centered, lower position of the liquid distributor 12 shown in FIG. 1, supplies liquid, whereas in all other positions the plunger 33 prevents liquid supply to the liquid distributor.

As shown in FIG. 1, a compressed coil-spring 34 is arranged to automatically displace the liquid distributor 12 and its supply pipe 13 upwardly after terminated treatment of the contents of the containers 15, 15'. A control device 35, 36, 37, 38 for fully automatic operation is indicated in phantom lines as is an incandescent lamp 39 for facilitating inspection.

FIG. 10 illustrates a centrifuge for sterile washing. Liquid is supplied from tanks 40 and 41 under control from a solenoid valve 42. The liquid flows through a sterile assembly 43, which is displaceable in a cover 52 of the centrifuge, to a rotating sterile assembly 44, from which the liquid is uniformly distributed to blood containers 45, 45. The liquid leaves the containers 45, 45' through tubing 47, 47 and is fed to a waste conduit 46. The cell concentrate in the containers 45, 45 is resuspended as described above with reference to FIG. 2 by deflecting the shaft 44 of the sterile assemblies by means of a solenoid actuator 48 during rotation of the centrifuge head 49. The casing 53 of the centrifuge also houses a device 51 for automatically controlling the operation of the centrifuge drive 50.

Compared to the devices according to the aforementioned US. patents, the centrifuge according to the present invention possesses essential advantages, such as faster exchange of containers and prevention of possibilities for the hoses or tubes to inadvertently stir the centrifugate (cells or the like), in that the ends of the hoses or tubes are positioned-at the moment of exchange-at the orifices of the containers. Moreover, there is achieved a more gentle and more efficient agitation in that the hoses or the tubes are serving as agitating means, so that it will not be necessary to rotate the containers. Furthermore, the invention entails a simplification of the entire apparatus, which permits its manufacture in series at low cost.

By means of centrifuges according to the invention it is possible to treat larger amounts of sterile blood. Here, the centrifuge is of rather large size, and as containers can serve bags, suitably of plastics material. Here, moreover, the working process is suitably automatically controlled and the centrifuge built to a closed system for operation under sterile conditions, incorporating sterile couplings containing disinfecting solution; the containers (bags) being intended for single or repeated use. It is thus possible, under sterile conditions, to mix (wash) and separate components, e.g., different cells and carrier liquids from one another and moreover, still under sterile conditions, to supply diiferent liquids for washing and removal of abovementioned components.

What I claim is:

1. A centrifuge for treating liquid and/or solid materials and having a rotatable centrifuge head for holding containers for material to be treated radially With respect to the rotational axis of the centrifuge head, a liquid distributor centrally disposed in the centrifuge head, a number of hoses or tubes leading from the liquid distributor and opening into the containers, so that equal amounts of liquid from the liquid distributor can be introduced into the containers, characterized in that the liquid distributor is tiltable and vertically displaceable With respect to the centrifuge head.

2. A centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid distributor is rigidly attached to a vertical liquid inlet pipe which is tiltable and vertically displaceable in the centrifuge head.

3. A centrifuge according to claim 2, characterized in that the hoses are adapted on tilting of the liquid distributor to perform reciprocating and beating movements in the containers.

4. A centrifuge according to claim 2, characterized in that the hoses are adapted on upward displacement of the liquid distributor to be displaced from the radially outer portions of the containers to the radially inner portions thereof.

5. A centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom of the liquid distributor is provided with a circular spreader plate for uniform spreading of liquid brought onto the plate.

6. A centrifuge according to claim 5, characterized in that the spreader plate consists of a bottom part of the liquid distributor.

7. A centrifuge according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid distributor is tiltable by means of a lever.

8. A centrifuge according to claim 1, characterized in that the movements of the liquor distributor are automatically controlled by means of an automatic control device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 239,659 4/1881 Houston et a1 233--21 2,834,541 5/ 1958 Szent-Gyorgyi 23326 3,175,732 3/1965 Unger 23326 X 3,235,173 2/1966 Unger 233-17 3,347,454 10/1967 Bellamy et al. 23317 FOREIGN PATENTS 864,410 4/ 1961 Great Britain.

WILLIAM 1. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

